Practical Size Art Deco Solid Wood Brass Banding Folding Screen / Room Divider

Rare, beautiful, practical, decorative and wonderfully characterful bookends. In all our years of collecting and trading antiques, we have never come across bookends quite like thes...

Stunning firescreen with a famous earth angle, two famous saint paintings and more. With meaningful 'religious art' from centuries-past being one of our specialities we were amazed, not only to find this rare and marvelous fire screen, but also because of its excellent condition. But then again, we think we see that more often, because true beauty, quality and meaningful antiques radiate something that was already there when it was created. This 'something' commands respect and this is why most people take very good care of very special pieces. Since much of what we know now about Christianity and about monastic life in its various 'forms' was given shape since the life of Christ, but possibly mostly so in Gothic / Medieval times, much of this is expressed in European Gothic Art of the past circa 8 centuries. This rare and beautiful fire screen from the early 1800s, which can also be used as a small room divider or a unique work of (decorative) art, is one of those unique Gothic antiques. The hand-carved knight sculptures are 'fun' and meaningful at the same time, because one of them looks a little desperate and the other looks more at piece and in prayer. The hand-carved winged angel in the middle/ on top seems to be overlooking this 'Gesamtkunstwerk'. What makes this antique really stand out and what also makes it complete are the three hand-painted panels inside this screen. Each of the figures portrayed here have dedicated their lifes to doing good, giving love and hope and thus healing people. In the centre is a glorious painting (in medieval style) of Earth Angel St. Raphael and the boy Tobias. The lady Saint on the right, we feel, is Elizabeth of Hungary (1207-1231) and the Saint on the left, we feel, is either Francis de Sales...